Court Documents: Roommate walked in on mother suffocating daughter, 4

Mary B. Lockett, 36, was charged with first degree murder. Police believe she impeded the breathing of her daughter, 4. Credit: St. Clair County Sheriff

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (KMOV.com) - A southern Illinois woman has been charged with first-degree murder after she allegedly suffocated her 4-year-old daughter.

According to the search warrant, on April 10, Mary Lockett’s roommate found her smothering Emily Rose Perrin, who would have turned 5 the next day. The roommate called 911 but emergency officials could not save her.

Perrin’s 8-year-old brother was home at the time of the attack, officials said.

The Department of Children Services told News 4 they had been providing services to Lockett since last June. They also said they have no record of her being abusive.

States Attorney Brendan Kelly said Lockett did have a record with the courts.

“Disorderly conduct from several months ago, involved cursing and behavior at a school,” Kelly said. “Misdemeanor domestic battery involving a sister, there was nothing in terms of criminal behavior on her record that rose to this level that we have been able to find.”

Tuesday, the Dupo woman’s bail was set at $1 million. A not guilty plea was entered by the judge, who ordered she be appointed an attorney.